Living Like a Monk – In the Traces of the Sacred Places of Akrotiri

From: 500

Value for money

Indulge in an exceptional spiritual tour without breaking the bank, as you embark an off the beaten path experience.

A unique experience

Discover a remarkable journey through the religious tradition of Crete, where every monastery unveils extraordinary perspective and unforgettable views.

Taste the local products

Dive into a historical adventure and learn everything about Cretan monks’ lives.

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Tour Overview

Tour Highlights

  1. Explore the Akrotiri Peninsula.
  2. Explore three monasteries in Akrotiri.
  3. Discover the religious heritage of Crete.
  4. Detailed descriptions and unknown stories.
  5. Unique nature landscapes and architecture miracles.
  6. Visit Katholikon through Avlaki gorge and the stone bridge.
  7. Learn everything about the religious tradition of Crete.
  8. Walk through the mountain path to discover the cave of St John.

Description

Embark on an enchanting journey through the Akrotiri Peninsula, where the captivating landscape unfolds, populated by hermits and monks, and dominated by magnificent monasteries with roots dating back to the Venetian period. These monastic havens not only narrate the island’s history but also showcase a unique architectural blend, mirroring the refined taste of scholars and their connections to Renaissance Europe’s artistic trends. The expedition commences with a descent to “Saint’s George”, leading to the exploration of the abandoned Katholiko monastery—a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Crete’s small “Kappadokya”. Tracing the footsteps of pilgrims, you’ll discover the secluded spots where hermits sought spiritual elevation through solitude, austerity, and self-discipline. Continuing the odyssey, the path unfolds to the Gouvernetou and Tzagarolon monasteries, revealing the collective life embraced by the monks. Delve into the individual narratives of those who shaped the administration and construction of these sacred spaces. Witness the distinctive architectural features of the churches and monastic complexes, explore the artistic treasures within, and grasp the pivotal role these monasteries played in various facets of historical and contemporary life. Culminating your journey is the revered monastery of St. John the Almsgiver, offering a unique model for organizing monastic spaces deeply connected to its history and the origins of its first monks. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of spiritual, architectural, and historical narratives that define this extraordinary expedition through the Akrotiri Peninsula.

Inclusions

  1. Hotel pick up and drop off
  2. English speaking, local driver/escort
  3. Bottled water and snacks per person
  4. Monasteries entrance fees
  5. Transport by air-conditioned minibus/minivan
  6. All taxes, fees and handling charges
  7. Private tour

Exclusions

  1. Gratuities (optional)

Guest Stories

Great Tour What a great tour! We chose the tour on a windy day in Chania and were so glad we did! It was excellent. Andreas was so knowledgeable about the area and the wine and he answered all questions we had. The group was small enough that it felt personal and the wineries we visited were absolutely brilliant! We loved the stop off at the oldest olive tree too. Great way to spend a day of our holiday!
Ems
15/04/2024
The World War II battle for Crete Yanis, our driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He shared a lot of facts and photos of the battle for Crete and he explained the significance of each stop along the tour. The stop at the military collector’s mini museum was excellent. There were many unique and rare items in his collection that are tied to the battle. The pace and timing of tour was just right, along with a fresh sandwich from a local shop. I would recommend this tour to any interested in the history of the battle for Crete.
Rich S
12/04/2024
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Battle for Crete. As a former New Zealand Army officer I was very much looking forward to this tour and it did not disappoint. The whole tour was excellent and covered so much ground literally and figuratively. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and a great person to spend the day with. Being able to visit the actual battlefield sites really put so much into context. Highly recommended.
Tata C
02/04/2024
Fantastic cooking class on Crete Everything about this experience was wonderful! The driver, Nikkoli was very knowledgeable and hospitable, the hosts for the class were gracious and warm, the good was amazing and the other guests were terrific. I am so lucky to have found this class and highly recommend!
Sue T
27/12/2023
Relaxing excursion This was such a nice relaxing tour. Very simple and easy day! We were picked up at our hotel, it happened to be one of the pickup locations luckily. We drove to two different wineries but also made some stops along the way for cool lookout spots and even a 3,000 year old olive tree.
Sarah S
12/12/2023
Cooking in Crete!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The staff and tour were excellent. We had such a good time being taught how to cook stuffed peppers, zucchini and tomatoes. I highly recommend this tour. The food that we created was simply delicious. Just a high quality experience.
Mobile562656
16/11/2023
Top bloke as guide Our guide had superb knowledge about the area we went to. He was friendly and accommodating. Despite our lack of knowledge and messing this company around we still got to Di our tour.
Compass52027796678
03/11/2023
It was a great tour! This tour allows you to learn more about the culture and history of Crete. They will explain in detail about the food and the background to it. I thought it was a little pricey due to the strong yen, but it was a valuable experience that money can't buy. I'm really glad I participated. I recommend it.
ゆか
03/11/2023
Awesome Wonderful experience. We were taken up into the mountains of Crete to a host house. Over the next 4 hours, we had a tour of the house, learned about Cretan history, had a local wine tasting, and made an incredibly delicious meal. It is vegetarian friendly and comes with a few surprises. I gained a newfound appreciation for olive oil—there can never be too much. One of the highlights of my trip.
Richard Z
28/10/2023
A Real Cretan Cooking Experience Yannis led us on a wonderful trip to a farm in the countryside with great views, warm and gracious hosts and cooks, and a night of fun and friendship. This was well worth the time to learn about Crete style cooking and Greek history
Todd W
24/10/2023

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